Deadline: 28-Jul-25
The U.S. Embassy Kyiv Public Diplomacy Section (PDS) of the U.S. Department of State announces an open competition for Ukrainian and U.S.-registered non-profit, non-governmental organizations to apply for a grant program aimed at revitalizing and/or establishing city-to-city partnerships between Ukrainian and American communities.
The initiative seeks to strengthen partnerships between U.S. and Ukrainian local governments, promote and business-to-business and people-to-people ties, and encourage cultural-educational collaboration, foster bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, and economic development, and support Ukraine’s democratic governance, reconstruction, and global security efforts.
Aligned with the newly announced United States–Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund, the program deepens bilateral ties by encouraging sustainable partnerships that promote U.S. investment, opportunity, and economic prosperity through Ukraine’s reconstruction. It gives U.S. communities and the private sector a stronger role in Ukraine’s postwar recovery and long-term development, offering them the opportunity to participate in the economic benefits of this process.
Goals and Objectives
These partnerships aim to:
Foster Governmental Partnership and Strengthen Bilateral Ties
This program will foster stronger partnerships between U.S. and Ukrainian local governments to reinforce Ukraine’s democratic governance, freedom of law, and broader geopolitical stability. By enhancing Ukraine’s role as a democratic partner in the region, the program will support efforts to promote stability, good governance, and the freedom of law, all of which are essential to global security. Additionally, this initiative will provide Ukraine with an opportunity to share its valuable experiences in crisis management, post-crisis recovery, resilience, and sustainable development, contributing to global best practices and long-term stability.
Aligned with the U.S.-Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund, the program will support Ukraine’s recovery and reconstruction efforts by fostering mutually beneficial governmental partnerships. These collaborations will encourage investment, stimulate economic growth, and strengthen local governance while promoting the freedom of law. By reinforcing legal frameworks crucial to democratic institutions, the program will help establish a stable environment for U.S. companies to invest confidently in key sectors, including critical minerals.
Drive Economic Development and Boost Cooperation in Trade
The program seeks to stimulate economic growth by fostering trade and investment between U.S. and Ukrainian cities and businesses. It aims to create opportunities for joint ventures, partnerships, and market diversification, helping establish alternatives to Chinese supply chains, promote free-market principles, and strengthen U.S.-Ukraine ties. These business partnerships will drive innovation, economic growth, and regional stability, benefiting the U.S. its allies, and Ukraine.
The program will also promote a culture of innovation, entrepreneurship, and private-sector competitiveness in Ukraine, creating a more favorable business climate for U.S. investors and significantly expanding opportunities to introduce U.S. products and services to the Ukrainian market. By opening doors for American companies and technologies, the initiative will help U.S. businesses extend their reach, establish joint ventures, and enter new sectors in Ukraine’s expanding economy. This effort will also help diversify U.S. trade routes, reduce dependence on adversarial markets, and strengthen bilateral commercial ties that drive growth and competitiveness for both nations.
Advance Strategic Technology and Security Collaboration:
This initiative aims to establish a strong partnership between the U.S. and Ukraine in the responsible development and application of advanced technologies and defense capabilities. The program focuses on ensuring that these innovations support global security, foster collaboration in emerging sectors, and prevent exploitation by adversaries. It will assist in utilizing Ukraine’s military technologies and skilled workforce for peaceful purposes, including partnerships in areas such as cybersecurity, agriculture, and defense.
By preventing the misuse of war-related technologies, this collaboration will enhance global security, strengthen the safety of both nations, and support U.S. leadership in emerging technologies. The program will assist in ensuring that the United States is seen as a reliable partner for Ukraine in the defense industrial base, strengthening U.S. security by enabling greater collaboration on critical resources, benefiting from shared military innovations, and helping to prevent their misuse by adversaries.
Promote People-to-People ties and Cultural-Educational Collaboration:
This program will foster collaboration between U.S. and Ukrainian citizens through educational exchange programs and cultural initiatives, strengthening people-to-people ties and shared values. Through these efforts, the program will share American excellence in culture, education, and sports, while strengthening people-to-people connections between the two nations. By encouraging deeper cultural exchange and shared knowledge, the program will contribute to long-term strengthening of U.S.-Ukraine relations, supporting global peace, democracy, and stability.
Funding Information
Award Amounts: Award may range from a minimum of $50,000.00 to a maximum of $200,000.00 (approximately)
Duration
Length of performance period is Maximum of 24 months.
Eligibility Criteria
Eligible Applicants
The following organizations are eligible to apply:
-Ukrainian and U.S.-registered non-profit, non-governmental organizations
-All organizations must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI)
The primary audience for this program should include both established opinion leaders and emerging voices across Ukraine and the United States who can as long-term advocates and connectors for U.S.-Ukraine relations. These include:
-Local government officials and municipal leaders with the capacity to formalize and sustain city-to-city partnerships
-Civic society, including Rotary Club members, Sister Cities International representatives, and community leaders with strong local networks
-Business and trade leaders interested in cross-border commercial collaboration, investment, and innovation
-Educators, cultural leaders, and exchange program alumni who can deepen cultural and educational ties and promote mutual understanding
-Technology and security experts who can help channel Ukraine’s technical capacity into peaceful, collaborative projects aligned with U.S. strategic interests
-Youth and emerging leaders in both countries who can carry forward the vision of a prosperous, democratic, and secure transatlantic relationship.
For more information, visit Grants.gov.
